1
as in fragile
easily broken
a frail eggshell
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sensitive
easily injured without careful handling
be careful with your grandmother, as she's very frail and a fall would be disastrous
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
he was frail after a long battle with bronchitis
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4
as in weakened
lacking strength of will or character
a frail person, easily swayed by others
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5
as in small
small in degree
a frail hope of success
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of frail
The frail but determined Francis greeted thousands in St. Peter's Square after Easter Mass in his open-air popemobile, just five weeks after a hospital stay.
—
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Very old or frail tapestries may be best framed to protect them.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
And Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data shows about one-quarter of all Medicaid benefits, more than $200 billion annually, pays for long-term care for about 9 million frail older adults and younger people with disabilities.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
First, most previous studies looked at the general older population, including healthy or mildly ill people, whereas this study focused on frail, vulnerable individuals receiving home care who might be more functionally limited but also better connected to formal care systems.
—New Atlas, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for frail
Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Very old or frail tapestries may be best framed to protect them.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
And Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data shows about one-quarter of all Medicaid benefits, more than $200 billion annually, pays for long-term care for about 9 million frail older adults and younger people with disabilities.
—Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
First, most previous studies looked at the general older population, including healthy or mildly ill people, whereas this study focused on frail, vulnerable individuals receiving home care who might be more functionally limited but also better connected to formal care systems.
—New Atlas, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for frail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for frail
Adjective
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Set in post-war America, The Great Mann is a compelling narrative of the fragile nature of progress in a country still shaped by segregation.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Simonds recommends hanging garments in a cool, dry place in the off-season and avoiding folding heirloom or fragile pieces.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Businesses cannot process sensitive data without obtaining consumer consent.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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There are some intense scenes During The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there are some intense scenes that may not be suitable for younger (or more sensitive) viewers.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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This downward movement was attributed to both weak job figures and a new round of U.S. tariffs announced by Trump.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
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Last month and August 2024 also saw a weak start, so this comes as no surprise.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Kitchen by Cooking with Que is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays as a small café. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
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In a small bowl, combine the softened butter and garlic and mix well.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Tasters enjoyed Canada Dry’s balance of flavors, noting that its delicate citrus played well with a sharp bitter note on the back of their tongues.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 July 2025
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For instance, delicate fabrics like wool, silk, or linen will likely have different washing requirements than white cotton garments.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Joe Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate performance, when the nation witnessed a hoarse and feeble president losing his train of thought and struggling to finish sentences, ended his re-election campaign.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
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Their feeble efforts fall flat, because the physical historical record dictates otherwise.—
Daily Southtown,
Chicago Tribune,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Paint your walls in a softer, creamier yellow, for example.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
1 Aug. 2025
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On the data side, expect the major economic reports to face a greater level of scrutiny following Friday’s soft jobs report and ugly downward revisions.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Investors know that distributors usually have slim margins; hence their stocks are cheap.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Johnson has become the regular defensive replacement for Sheets in left field, primarily late in games the Padres lead by a slim margin.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Frail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/frail. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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